Increase in cancer survival rates

Malta registered the largest increase in the survival rate of prostate cancer among 29 European countries in a seven-year period, according to a study just published in a leading medical journal.

The island also made great strides in the number of women who survived breast cancer for at least five years from diagnosis between 2000 and 2007, placing just second to Iceland.

Prostrate is the most common cancer among Maltese men, while breast cancer is the most widespread among Maltese women and also the biggest killer.

The findings, published online in The Lancet Oncology three days ago, analysed data from cancer registries covering 29 countries to compare five-year survival rates from diagnosis for more than nine million adults.